nk497 writes: "Microsoft has released Kinect for Windows, featuring a new "near mode" that lets the gesture control tech be used as close as 40cm. The Kinect for Windows hardware will retail at $249 — well above the price of the version for Xbox 360 consoles. Microsoft defended the price difference, saying sales of games and Xbox Live subscriptions help subsidise the console version. The new version will support Windows 7 and the Windows 8 developer preview, as well as Windows Embedded 7 devices."